Automatic starter switch



8, 1944- J. F. LACHAPELLE 7 2,363,534

AUTOMATIC STARTER SWI TCH Filed July 29, 1952 gmnmtw Patented Nov. 28,1944 Joseph Frederick Lacha assignor by direct a General I otorsCorporation; corporation of Delaware pelle, West Chester Par, nd mesneassignments, to Detroit} Mich a spontaneously '29; 1932-,se1-ismo.626,248 25 claims.- (01. 123 179)" This invention relates to new' 'anduseful inn provements in electric switche's, andparti'culariy to suchswitches as are use in connection with tnestartin'g' motors ofautomobueengmes.

"The principai'object of the invention is to pro; v'idea switch ofthetype mentioned; Which'shallbe so constructedand'arrengea as to summon:cal'iy close-the circuit to the starting motor; and cause'it to functionshould the engine become stalled.

Another object is to provide a switch of this character which willautomatically open after the starting motor has performedits function,

Other objectsand advantageswill be apparent from thelfollowingdescription when taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing.

In the drawing:

Figurefl isa viewof; the switch with its means o'ficonn'ection tothe-throttle arm-of the engine, to the electrical circuit and to theintake manifold. a Y

Y Eigurez-is avie-w, partly insection; showing a. suction operateddiaphragm-forming a part r n 1 s ,3

Figure '3-.is a sectional detailview on the line 3+3of: Figure 11 rFigured is a detail sectional :view ofparts connecting th switch withthe throttle arm.

Referring particularly to the accompanying drawing, the presentinvention includes a base into which are connected-the rectangularframes H and lit-and through which are disposed and secured, electricterminals [3 and I4, insulated from the base and: having their innerends ex"-- posed above "the face thereof as shown in Figure-h Securedtothe' opposite sides of the frames H and 12, and extending forwardlythereloetween is aguideyoke I5, having an opening 16.- Inoppositesidesof this-openings are recesses ll; slidable-through the opening IB'isastem l8 having opposite longitudinal ribs I9 positioned within thesaidrecesses; the latter being forthe purpose I o-f preventingrotation ofthe stem I8; Mounted Oman endj-oi the stem l8-is-a transverse metalcontactbar 20 which, when the-engine is-idle,- bridgesthe'rinner ends ofthe'terminalsH and l4: The-other end of the stem I8 extends beyondthepframe members ll and-l 2 for apurposewhich will be described later;

Mounted on the ends of the'guide yoke l; exteriorlyof the frame membersH and I2, is a casingeZ L-wlthin which is secured a'diaphragm 22,.andsecured to one face' of'this diaphragm, by means-of a screw 23; isthe-said extended end or an internally threadednipple 26, in whichisserewed a longitudinally bored plug 26', said plug engine. a. portionof this manifold-being illustrated in Figure 1 and marked 21'. In theinner motor the p1ug26 is a reeess-28 inwhich is;

seated one'endof a coil spring", the other end of this spring bein'gseated in the cupwasher 24.- This spring serves to urge the stem [8through the opening in the guide yoke l5, whereby to engage the contactbar 28 with the terminals l3 and'M'. Its tension-may be adjusted bymeansof the plug 26; as will be readily understood. Formed inthe stem l8,intermediate its length, is an opening 30: g

- Secured to other sides of the frame members II -and It, and extendingioutwardly thereof; is a'yoke Glyhaving' a guide openings! in its bightportion, which is-in alignment with asimilar opening 33a in-a strap 33,connecting the frame members Slidably disposed through these openings'32and =32a'is alatch rod, havinga nose 35 for'engagement in the opening'30of the stem L8, under conditions to be described later; Held in positionon the -=1atch rod 34-, within the yoke 31; by'meansofapin 36; is a disk31, and em circling the-latch rod, between the disls'and the adjacentsideof the strap: 33, is a coil spring 38-,

the =normalaction of which is toyieldably hold the latch rod out of-theopening 30 in'the stem l8 Pivotally connected to the outer endof thelatch rod is one end of a hollow rod 39; and telescoped-i-ntothe otherendof this hollow rod isone -end--=of a; rod section 40; the other endofsaid rod section being provided with means; shown at-4 I, forattachment to -the arm of the throttleof the automobile engine.- Ca LIiedhy the rod section 40; and bearing against the throttle con nectingmeans this a disk 43; Threaded on the adjacent end of the hollow rod 39is a disk and a jam-b nut ;--fo'rholding the diskin adjusted position.Enci-r eling the rod section; and the adjacent end portion of the hollowrod 39; is a coil spring: 46, thee'ndsof which bear against the disksyfla-nd 44: By means of thedisk 44 and nut 45; the tension-of the springmaybe ad- The arm 42 is connectedtoamember 41; which leads to means, notshown, for operating the throttle.

Connected to the terminal I3 is a wire 48, which leads to the usualbattery 49, through a switch 50, which switch also controls the ignitioncircuit. A wire 5| is connected to the terminal I4 and leads to thestarting motor 52. It will be noted that the battery and starting motorare grounded, on one side, in'the usual manner. To start the engine, theoperator closes the switch 50 which simultaneously completes the circuitthrough thestarting motor and closes the ignition circuit. After theengine has been started, the suction from the intake manifold, operatingthrough the pipe 21 ,will draw the diaphragm 22 against the tension ofthe spring 21, so that the said diaphragm will pull the stem I8 andthereby disengage the contact bar 20 from the terminals I3 and I4,breaking the starting motor circuit. The engine now functions in theusual manner but, should it become stalled, the suction in the intakemanifold will be discontinued, with the result that the diaphragm 22will no longer be influenced by such suction, but will be forced intoits normal position by the spring 2&3 to re-engage the bar 29 with theterminals I3 and I4, thus closing the circuit through the starting motorand again starting the engine.

38. When, however, the speed of the engine has been reduced, by movingthe throttle and permitting the arm 42 to move to a sufiicient degree torelieve the spring 46, the spring 38 will withdraw the nose of the latchrod 34 from the opening in the stem. The latter, together with its bar20, will be then held in proper position by the normal suction at theintake manifold of the engine,thus keeping open the circuit through thestarting motor,.until the engine has again ceased to operate.

It will be understood that the switch 50 which controls the ignitioncircuit, as well a the starting motor circuit, will be located withinconvenient reach of the drivers-seat, as usual. It will also beunderstood that the throwing of this switch will simultaneously closethese two circuits, thus causing the engine to start without themanipulation of any other switch, such as the starter button, or switch,now in general use.

-It will also be understood that the construction illustrated anddescribed is only for the purpose of enabling th various features of theinvention to be understood, and that various changes may be made in themechanical details of the invention without departing from the spirit ofthe invention as set forth in the appended claims.

'What is claimed is:

l. The combination with an electric switch and vacuum controlled meansfor opening said switch; of a spring urging said switch to closedposition, said switch including a stem having an opening therein, aplunger adapted to engage in said opening upon the switch being moved tofully open position, a spring urging said plunger toward said stem, andpedal controlled meansfor retracting said plunger against the action ofthe last mentioned spring.

2. In a Vacuum controlled switch, a base, a pair of laterally spacedframes carried by said base, a pair of spaced contacts fixed to the basebetween the sides of the frames, a guide yoke bridging the upper partsof the said frames and having a central opening provided with opposedrecesses, a stem slidable through said opening and having ribs engagedin said recesses to prevent rotation of the stem, a transverse contactbar carried by the lower end of the stem to move into and out of'bridging engagement with the contacts, and a vacuum cell mounted on saidguide yoke for operating said stem.

3. In a vacuum controlled switch, a base, a

pair of laterally spaced frames carried by said base, a pair of spacedcontacts fixed to the case between the sides of th frames, a guide yokebridging the upper parts of the said frames and having a central openingprovided with opposed recesses, a stemslidable through said opening andhaving ribs engaged in said recesses to prevent rotation of the stem, atransverse contact bar carried by the lower end of the stem to move intoand out of bridging engagement with the contacts, a vacuum cell mountedon said guide yoke for operating said stem, said stem having atransverse latch opening, a pair of spaced guide members connecting theframes at one side thereof, a latch bar slidable through said guidemembers into and out of engagement in the opening in the stem, andspring means urging said latch bar out of said engagement.

4. Starting apparatus for internal combustion engines comprising acurrent source, a starting motor adapted to be operated by current fromsaid source, a control switch for controlling the operation of saidstarting motor, means operated by fluid pressure derived from the enginefor operating the switch and efiective to open the switch when the,engine starts to run, an accelerator pedal, means operatively connectedwith the accelerator pedal for controlling the operation of the switchoperatin means and movable by the accelerator pedal, when said pedal isoperated, to hold the switch operating means in such a position that theswitch is maintained in open condition.

5. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, a currentsource, a starting motor operable by current from said source, a circuitbetween said current source and starting motor adapted to be closed inorder to cause operation of the starting motor, a control switch in saidcircuit, means for controlling the quantity of mixture supplied to theengine, and means operated by the mixture controlling means for holdingsaid control switch open under certain operating conditions in order toprevent closingof the circuit between the starting motor and currentsource.

6. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, a currentsource, a starting motor operable by current from said source, a circuitbetween said current source and starting motor adapted to be closed inorder to cause operation of the starting motor, a control switch in saidcircuit, means for controlling the quantity of mixture supplied to theengine and means operated by the mixture controlling means when it ismoved to a position to supply a relatively large quantity of fuelmixture to the engine to hold the switch open in order to preventclosing of the circuit between the starting motor and current source- 7In a starting apparatus for internal combos-- accuse tion engines,-a,current. source, a starting motor operable by current from said source,a circuit between saidv Current source and starting motor adaptedto beclosed in order to cause operation ofthe starting: motor, means forcontrolling said circuit including acontrol switch which must beclosedin order to close the circuit and cause the starting motor tobecome operative, means for controlling the quantity of fuel mixturesupplied to the engine, means operated by the engine, when it becomesself-operative, for openingsaid control' switch and means operated bythe mixture controlling means for holding said switch open during.self-operation of the engine, in order to preventlany possible closingofthe starting motor circuit while: the engine is operating under its own.power;

8; --In jastarting apparatus for internal combustion engines, a currentsource, a starting motor operable by current from said source, a circuitbetween said current source. and starting motor adapted to be closed inorder t cause operation of the starting motor, means for controllingsaid circuit including a control. switch which must be closed in orderto close the circuit. and cause the starting motorto become operative,means for controlling the quantity of fuel mixture supplied tothe-engine,a means operated by engine suction, when the engine startsvto run under its own power to open the control switch, and meansoperated by the mixture controlling means forholding said switch openduring self-operation of the engine in order to prevent any possibleclosing of the starting motor circuit while the engine is. operatingunder its own power.

9.- Ina starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, azstartingmotor, a current source, a circuit betweensaid starting motor and thecurrent source-a normally closed control switch in said circuit, asecond normally open switch in series with said control switch, meansfor closing said second switch to effect closing of the circuit to causethe starting motor to become operative, means for opening said normallyclosed control switch when the engine starts'to run to break saidcircuit, means for controlling the supply of fuel mixture to the engine,and means operated thereby to prevent-closing of said control switchduring operation of the engine under its own power.

'10..In 'astarting apparatus for internal combustion engines, a startingmotor, a current source, a circuit between said starting motor and thecurrent'source, a pair :of control switches in serie'sin said circuit,manually operable means to closeone of said switches to effect closingof said circuit :in order to cause the starting motor to becomeoperative, engine operated means for opening-the other of said controlswitches to break saidcircuit when the engine begins to run, means for'controllingthe supply of fuel mixture to the engine and means operatedthereby to prevent closing of the enginev operated control switch duringoperation of the engine under its own power,

1-;1-.-In a; starting apparatus for internal combustion.- engines, astarting motor, a current source, a circuit between said starting motorand the current source, a pair of control switches in series in saidcircuit, manually operable means to close'oneof said switches toefiectclosing of said circuit-in order to cause the starting motor to becomeoperative, means operable by engine suction for opening the other ofsaid control switches tmbrea-k said circuit when the engine starts torum-meansfor controlling the supply of fuel mixturetotheengine andmeans. operated thereby to prevent closingof the suction operatedcontrol switch during operation 'of the engine under its. ownFpower.

12. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, a currentsource, a starting motor adapted to be operated by current from saidsource, a circuit between the starting motor and current source, meansfor controlling the opening and. closing of said circuit including anignition switch and a second control switch in series therewith andadapted when closedto close thestarting motor circuit, in order to causesaid starting motor t become operative, means to control the quantity ofmixture supplied to the engine and. means operated thereby to controlthe operation of the second control switch.

13. In a starting apparatus for internal com bustion engines, a currentsource, a starting motor adapted to be operated by current from saidsource, a circuit between the starting motor and current source, meansfor controlling the opening. and closing of said circuit including anignition switch and a secondcontrol switch in series there- With'a'ndadapted when closed to close the starting motorcircuit, in order tocause said starting motor to become operative, means to control thequantity of mixture supplied to the engine and means operable therebyduring operation of the engine under its own power, to. hold the second.

, control switch open in order to prevent closing of the starting motorcircuit while the engine is selfoperative.

1'4. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, a currentsource, a starting motor adapted to .be operated by current from saidsource, a circuit between the starting motor and currentsource, meansfor controlling the opening and closing of said circuit including anignition switch and a second control switch in series therewith andadapted when closed to close the starting motor circuit, in order tocause said starting motor to become operative, means operable by enginesuction to open the second control switch and break the starting motorcircuit when the engine starts to run under its own power, in order tocause the starting motor to become inoperative, means for controllingthequantity of fuel mixture supplied to the engine, and means operatedby said mixture controlling means to hold the second control switch openduring self-operation of the engine to prevent closing. of the startingmotor circuit while the engine is running.

15. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, a currentsource, a starting m0- torfadaptedto be operated by current from saidsource, a circuit between the starting motor and current source, meansfor controlling the opening and closing of said circuit including anormally open ignition switch adapted to be closed in order to closesaid circuit and a second normally closed control switch in series withthe ignition. switch and also controlling the starting motor circuit,means for controlling the quantity of fuel mixture supplied to theengine and means operated by the mixture controlling means for alsocontrolling the operation of said second control switch.

16. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, a startingmotor, a current source, a circuit between said starting motor and thecurrent source, a normally open ignition switch operable when closed toclose the ignition circuit and also said'starting motor circuit, anormally closed switch in series with said ignition switch and alsocontrolling the starting motor circuit, means operable by engine suctionfor opening said normally closed switch when the engine starts to run inorder to break the start n motor circuit, means for controlling thesupply of fuel mixture to the engine and means operated thereby toprevent closing of said suction operated switch during operation of theengine under its own power.

1'7. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, a startingmotor, a current source, a circuit between said starting motor and thecurrent source, a main starting motor switch in the circuit between thecurrent source and starting motor, a normally open ignition switch inseries with said starting motor switch and adapted when closed to closeboth the starting motor circuit and ignition circuit, means operablewhen the engine begins to run under its own power t open the mainstarting motor switch to break said circuit entirely independently ofthe ignition switch and means for preventing closing of said mainstarting motor switch while the engine continues to operate under itsown power.

18. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, a startingmotor, a current source, a circuit between said starting motor and thecurrent source, a control switch for closing said circuit in order tocause the starting motor to become operative and comprising fixed andmovable contacts, means for moving said movable contact to a position toopen the switch when the engine starts to run, means for controlling thesupply of fuel mixture to the engine, and a member operated thereby andmovable to a position to engage said movable contact to prevent closingof said control switch during operation of the engine.

19. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, a startingmotor, a current source, a circuit between said starting motor and thecurrent source, a control switch for closing said circuit in order tocause the starting motor to become operative and comprising fixed andmovable contacts, means for moving said movable contact to a position toopen the switch when the engine starts to run, a foot operatedaccelerator pedal for controlling the supply of.fuel mixture to theengine and a member operable thereby and movable to a position to engagesaid movable contact to prevent closing of said control switch duringoperation of the engine.

20. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, a, startingmotor, a current source, a circuit between said starting motor and thecurrent source, a control switch for closing said circuit in order tocause the starting motor to, become operative and comprising fixed andmovable contacts, means for moving said movable contact to a position toopen the switch when the engine starts to run, a foot operatedaccelerator pedal for controlling the supply of fuel mixture to theengine, a, member operable thereby and movable to a position to engagesaid movable contact to prevent closing of the control switch duringengine operation, and a resilient operating connection between saidpedal and said member, so as to permit movement of the pedal withoutcorresponding movement of said member.

21. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, a startingmotor, a current source, a circuit between said starting motor and thecurrent source, a control switch for closing said circuit in order tocause the starting motor to become operative and comprising fixed andmovable contacts, means for moving said movable contact to a position toopen the switch when the engine starts to run, means for controlling thesupply of fuel mixture to the engine, a member movable to a position toengage said movable contact to prevent closin of said control switchduring operation of the engine, and operating connections between saidmember and the mixture controlling means, said operating connectionsbeing so constructed as to permit movement of the mixture controllingmeans independently of the said member.

22. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, a startingmotor, a current source, a circuit between said starting motor and thecurrent source, a control switch for closing said circuit in order tocause the starting motor to become operative and comprising fixed andmovable contacts, means for moving said movable contact to a position toopen the switch when the engine starts to run, means for controlling thesupply of fuel mixture to the engine, a member movable by said mixturecontrolling means to a position to engage said movable contact andprevent closing of the control switch as said mixture controlling meansis moved to increase the quantity of mixture supplied, operatingconnections between said mixture controlling means and said member soconstructed that said mixture controlling means can be moved to aposition to supply a maximum quantity of mixture to the engine afterengagement of said member with the movable contact without furthermovement of said member.

23. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, a startingmotor, a current source, a circuit between said starting motor and thecurrent source, a control switch for closing said circuit in order tocause the starting motor to become operative and comprising fixed andmovable contacts, the latter of which is movable to a position to openthe control switch and break the starting motor circuit, an elementsecured to said movable contact and having a recess formed therein,means for controlling the supply of fuel mixture to the engine, and arod connected to said means and movable thereby to engage said recesafter the movable contact is moved to switch open position, so as toprevent closing of the switch during operation of the engine under itsown power.

24. In a starting apparatus for internal c'ombustion engines, a startingmotor, a current source, a circuit between said starting motor and thecurrent source, a control switch for closing said circuit in order tocause the starting motor to become operative and comprising fixed andmovable contacts, the latter of which is movable to a position to openthe control switch and break the starting motor circuit, an elementsecured to said movable contact and having a recess formed therein,means for controlling the supply of fuel mixture to the engine, and arod connected to said means and movable thereby to engage said recessafter the movable contact is moved to switch open position, so as toprevent closing of the switch during operation of the engine under itsown power, said rod being connected to the mixture controlling meansthrough the medium of a resilient operating connection so that themixture controlling means may move after the rod engages said recesswithout further movement of the rod.

25. In a starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, a startingmotor, a current source, a circuit between said starting motor and thecurrent source, a control switch for closing. said circuit in order tocause the starting motor to become operative and comprising fixed andmovable contacts, the latter of which is movable to a position to openthe control switch and break the starting motor circuit, an elementsecured to said movable contact and having a recess formed therein, amember movable to different positions to variably control the supply offuel mixture to the engine, a rod one end of which is connected to saidmember for operation thereby and the other end of which is movable intoengagement with said recess when the movable contact is in position tobreak the starting motor circuit, said rod being moved to such positionas said member is moved in a direction to increase the supply of fuelmixture to the engine, and a resilient connecting element between saidrod and its operating member effective to permit movement of said memberto a position to supply a maximum quantity of fuel mixture to the engineafter engagement of the rod with said recess and without additionalmovement of the rod.

JOSEPH FREDRICK LACHAPELLE.

